Gong Linche: "Whether Yucang controls the political affairs of the Qin State is not important at present. What Xiaoyue Pavilion needs to do now is to clean up the hearts of the subjects of the old land of Zhao State. Making the old land of Zhao State their own is their most urgent need at the moment.
Things like this will not threaten us for the time being, and we will not cause trouble for ourselves. This calamity for the Yan Kingdom is over, and it is also a blessing in disguise." He said the last sentence with great emotion.
Thinking about how we were faced with the threat of annihilation at the beginning, but now we have not only made a comeback, but also annexed a large amount of Zhao's territory, how can we not feel sad.
For the time being, the surrounding situation is favorable to the Yan State. Xin Qin is busy cleaning up its internal affairs, and the war between Han and Song Dynasties has no time to take care of the Yan State. The current situation of the Yan State is very good.
Niu Youdao slowly sipped the tea and said jokingly: "Yan State can get blessings in disguise, and I, Nanzhou, should be the first to take credit."
Gong Lince did not object to this statement. Without Nanzhou's campaigns in the east and west, without Nanzhou's efforts to unite the morale of Yan's troops, and without the strategic planning of the generals of Nanzhou, the country of Yan would probably have perished not Zhao but Yan.
"That's what happened, but Xiaoyao Palace and Lingjian Mountain won't admit it, and I'm afraid they will have to settle accounts with you." Gong Lince said.
Niu Youdao: "I am hiding in Zijin Cave, what can they do to me? As long as I don't die, they have the ability to try to attack Shang Chaozong. If they dare to touch the people in Zijin Cave, Zijin Cave will not let them go.
Is it this way?"
Gong Lince sighed, "Once the news about your coming here is made public, the two families will probably become angry. I'm going to be under a lot of pressure."
Niu Youdao: "As long as it can't be crushed, it's not called pressure. In order to prevent long nights and dreams, Zijin Cave immediately sent a group of experts to Shang Chaozong to fully take over the protection of Shang Chaozong. I will say hello to Shang Chaozong.
, they will cooperate. Head of the palace, I don’t want anything to happen to the Shang Chaozong. Let me put it this way. If something happens to the Shang Chaozong, I can guarantee that the people of Nanzhou and Jinzhou will immediately rebel.
No one can have a good time!"
Gong Linche: "Don't worry about the safety of Shang Chaozong, I will make arrangements. But I'm afraid I have to discuss it with you again about your joining Zijin Cave."
"Oh!" Niu Youdao put down the tea cup and spread his hands, "I don't care. Zijin Cave doesn't want me. I can go to Xiaoyao Palace or Lingjian Mountain."
Gong Lince raised his eyebrows, "Are you threatening me?"
Niu Youdao: "How can I threaten you when I'm on your territory? What I'm telling you is the truth. If you don't leave me here, there will be a place for me. I won't hang myself on a tree."
Gong Linche: "You are thinking too much. What I want to discuss with you is that the promise I made to you will not change, and the position of elder agreed upon for you will not change. But after all, you joined Zijin Cave halfway, and the others
What I mean is that you can be the elder of Zijindong, but you have no right to participate in the decision-making of Zijindong for the time being! What everyone means is that we need to observe and observe again to confirm that you and Zijindong are of the same mind."
Guan Fangyi on the side immediately looked at Niu Youdao's reaction.
Niu Youdao circled his fingers on the mouth of the tea cup, "In other words, I am an elder in name only. I have no right to participate in decision-making, but I must abide by what you have decided, isn't that right?"
Gong Lince: "Any disciple in the sect must abide by the sect's decision, not only in Zijindong, but also in every sect."
Niu Youdao chuckled and said, "You want the horse to run but don't let it eat grass. It's up to you. Okay, I don't care, I agree."
Gong Linche: "Also, although you will be given the corresponding level, you do not have the right to view the high-level cultivation techniques of Zijin Cave for the time being. Before I am sure whether you are of the same mind as everyone else, I hope you can understand everyone's feelings.
"
Niu Youdao chuckled: "I understand, I understand, okay, I agree."
Seeing that he was happy, Gong Lince stood up and said, "Okay, it's settled. Just make some preparations and I'll take you to pay homage to Uncle Zhong Guzi tomorrow. With this level of seniority here, you can serve as the elder of Zijindong."
Things are justifiable."
"Okay." Niu Youdao stood up to see the guests off.
After the guests left, Guan Fangyi walked to Niu Youdao and said, "You have no right to this, and you have no right to that. Why didn't you ask what benefits and rights you have, and just blindly agreed like this?"
Niu Youdao: "What's your question? I hold real power in my hands and I can't let them manipulate it at will. Do I need to talk to them? Take a step back and keep your usefulness first. The days ahead will be long, so take your time.
Not urgent!"
…
Zhong Guzi, the first of the five remaining elders in Zijin Cave, is also the oldest one. The other Supreme Elders all call him "Senior Brother" when they see him.
In Yan Li's words, this old man's life is coming to an end, he has only a few years to live, and he will not be able to come out of seclusion for a long time.
Of course, this was what Niu Youdao asked Yan Li to take the initiative to inquire about. It was impossible for him to become a disciple without even knowing everything about his master.
Through Yan Li, Niu Youdao figured out something. Although Zhong Guzi was of high seniority, he had no influence in the sect. It is estimated that people up and down the Zijin Cave did not care about Niu Youdao or any of the powerful elders in the sect.
They colluded together and disturbed this old guy who had been in seclusion for a long time.
The next day, Niu Youdao was led to a cliff halfway up the mountain.
Guan Fangyi, who was following, was stopped and was not allowed to approach the place. She could only watch from a distance.
Outside a pavilion half embedded in the cliff, the leader Gong Lince stood on the steps and waited, nodding slightly to Niu Youdao who arrived.
At the bottom of the steps, on the platform on the cliff, Yan Li, Yue Yuan, Shen Chun, Qiao Tianguang, Yuan An, Fu Junrang, Yin Yide, Mo Lingxue, and eight elders from Zijin Cave were all present. They stood in two rows under the steps.
Mo Lingxue is a woman.
Among the eight people, whether they had seen him or not, they were all looking at Niu Youdao.
Niu Youdao also took the initiative to say hello. Everyone's attitude was either cold or warm, but Niu Youdao didn't take it seriously and remained polite.
After a while, the door embedded in the pavilion buzzed open, and an old man with a wrinkled face walked out slowly. Gong Lince and the eight elders immediately turned around and bowed their hands in greeting, "Uncle!"
Niu Youdao followed suit and clasped his fists. He didn't call him anything. He didn't have a proper title now so he couldn't shout randomly. However, his eyes flickered and he looked carefully at the old man who came out. Needless to say, this should be Zhong Guzi.
Zhong Guzi opened his drooped eyelids a little, stared at Niu Youdao, and asked, "Is it him?"
"Exactly!" Gong Lince replied respectfully.
Zhong Guzi: "I have accepted six disciples, and they all died for the sect. I can't give you anything. Are you sure you want to worship me as your master?"
Niu Youdao: "Yes!"
Zhong Guzi's arrogant eyes glanced back and forth at everyone. He was naturally aware of these people's plans. However, each generation had its own affairs. The rules of the family were up to them. Many things were beyond his control. He finally sighed,
"Then it's up to you."
Gong Lince immediately stepped aside and waved to Niu Youdao, indicating that he would do as promised.
Niu Youdao stepped forward, walked to the bottom of the steps, knelt down in front of everyone, kowtowed and paid homage!
Guan Fangyi, who saw this scene from a distance, felt inexplicably sour in her heart.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Zhong Guzi didn't say much. He took off a jade pendant from his waist and threw it to Niu Youdao, "Don't disturb me unless it's important. Letting go is also a blessing. I hope you can take care of yourself in the future!"
After saying that, he turned around and returned to the gate.
"Remember Master's teachings!" Niu Youdao held the jade pendant in both hands and bowed before him. Then he watched him off. When the attic door closed, he stood up and looked at the jade pendant in his hand.
Gong Lince walked down the steps with a smile on his face and said, "Junior brother, from now on we will all be brothers in the same discipline."
Niu Youdao immediately raised his hands to everyone and said, "I have met all of you, senior brothers and sisters."
Everyone chatted politely for a while.
Gong Lince patted his shoulder and said, "Okay, you're welcome. Someone will send you your clothes later. After you change your clothes, come to the meeting hall and discuss anything with you."
After everyone dispersed, Yan Li smiled at Niu Youdao and turned around to leave.
Niu Youdao looked back at the closed door. After thinking for a while, he turned and left.
On the steps going down the mountain, I met Guan Fangyi.
As they walked down the winding steps, Guan Fangyi murmured, "They say there is gold under a man's knees, but you just kneeled down. I'm afraid you feel uncomfortable, right?"
Niu Youdao walked with his sword in one hand and played with the jade pendant in his other hand. He shook his head slightly and said, "He is very old. He is enough to be my great-grandfather. He can bear it even if I kneel down. There is no discomfort."
Not long after the two returned to the thatched cottage, Wen Mo'er arrived, followed by two female disciples carrying several sets of clothes.
"I've met the elder!" Wen Mo'er led his two disciples to smile and salute.
Wen Mo'er nodded with a smile, then pointed at the clothes and said: "This is what the leader asked me to send here, so that the elders can get dressed and go to the meeting hall. From now on, the three of me are the elders assigned by the sect to take care of them.
As elders in daily life, if you have anything to do, just tell us."
"Thank you." Niu Youdao said politely and motioned for Guan Fangyi to go over and take the clothes.
Afterwards, he went to the inner house, changed into purple clothes and came out, dressed upright as a Zijindong disciple. Four golden ribbons hung around his waist to symbolize Niu Youdao's status as an elder.
The leader and the sect leader have five threads, those at the elder level have four threads, those at the deacon and disciple level have three threads, senior disciples have two threads, ordinary disciples have one thread, and junior disciples have none. Different statuses are enjoyed in the sect.
The treatment is naturally different.
Wu Zhaoxing and Yunji witnessed in the yard, look at me and I look at you.
Knowing that a group of people were waiting for him, Niu Youdao did not stay long. Wen Moer led the way and took him to the meeting hall.
When they arrived at the place, Wen Moer was not qualified to go in, so he waited outside and watched Niu Youdao enter alone.
The people in the hall were still the same people I had met when I was a disciple before. They passed by the polite words and got straight to the point.
Hearing Niu Youdao's slightly raised eyebrows, everyone asked for the secret recipe for drinks.
"As a disciple of Zijindong, there is no such thing as private property. Everything must be uniformly dispatched and distributed by the sect."
"This principle is not just for Zijin Cave, it applies to any sect."
There was a lot of chatter, and Niu Youdao listened with a smile.
Seeing his calm and calm look, Yan Li secretly felt something bad. He knew this guy too well, he was not a soft persimmon that could be manipulated at will.
After everyone stopped talking, Niu Youdao asked: "What does the master want?"
Gong Linche was a little embarrassed, but he still said sternly: "This is not to make things difficult for you. The rules of the sect are the same for everyone. A long-lasting war has consumed a lot of the sect's financial resources, and there are still many disciples in the sect to support.
Of course, the sovereignty belongs to the sect, but you will continue to be responsible for the management, what do you think?"
What do you think? Niu Youdao originally planned to give it to this side, but now he doesn't want to give it a cent. He holds the sword with both hands and beats it with his fingers for a while, and suddenly said: "I have no objection. I follow the sect's decision, but this
I can't make the decision."
Everyone frowned, and Gong Lince was confused: "How do you say this?"
Niu Youdao: "To tell you the truth, when I attended the secret meeting in Tiandu, I caused some trouble in Tiangu and almost lost my life. In order to save my life, I dedicated the secret recipe to Sha Tathagata. Now I change hands everywhere without knowing Sha Tathagata.
What is Tathagata's opinion? Why don't you ask Sha Tathagata for his opinion first? As long as he has no opinion, I definitely have no opinion and I will definitely give it to you with both hands!"